Microscope Museum

Collection of antique microscopes and other scientific instruments

Microscope 196 (unassigned maker; pocket microscope; late 19^th to early 20^th centuries)

Microscope 196 is a simple pocket microscope from c. 1900 to early 20^th centuries. This microscope has a single simple lens with a magnification of 50x and a recess into which a slide could be fitted for examination. The two protruding bars attach to a spring within the instrument that hold the slide in place once it is inserted. The eyepiece of the microscope can then be moved in and out to focus the image of the object of interest. Microscopes like this example became popular in the late 19th and early 20th centuries and were manufactured mainly in France and Germany. The instrument came with its original cardboard box. This microscope was found in the same box as Beck’s microscope 195 from c. 1878. Examples featured in the catalogues of Ferdinand Ernecke and Geissler are shown below (Figure 1).

Figure 1. Simple microscopes as featured in F. Ernecke’s c.1890 catalogue, named as ‘taschen mikroskop mit lupe’ (A) and in the HN Geissler’s 1904 catalogue, named as ‘universal taschen mikroskop mit lupe’ (B)

References

SIMPLE MICROSCOPE OUTFIT C. 1885-1905 (http://www.microscope-antiques.com/waechtertaschen.html), last accessed on 02.09.2020

Microscope universel de poche avec loupe (http://www.lecompendium.com/dossier_optique_07_tachen_mikroskop/taschenmikroskop.htm), last accessed on 02.09.2020

Microscopes de poche – II (http://www.lecompendium.com/dossier_optique_05_microscopes_de_poche_2/microscopes_simples_partie_2.htm), last accessed on 02.09.2020

LAST EDITED: 25.07.2021